Sarri on Hudson-Odoi, Loftus-Cheek, possible ‘disaster’ against City and why fans are wrong on Jorginho
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri spoke about a number of issues at a media conference after the game against Malmo. Here’s what the Italian had to say.
On Chelsea’s performance
“We played the first 30 minutes without confidence. Nervous. We were unable to move the ball very fast. We were in trouble on the pressing.
“Then we were a little bit better in the last 15 minutes of the first half and then very well after the first goal. We started to move the ball very fast with confidence.
“But it wasn’t easy for us to play this match of course. So I can understand my players for the first 30 minutes.
“I am worried about the first 30 minutes only for the offensive phase because we cannot play our football without confidence. But the level of application and attention was good also in the first 30 minutes.”
On what might happen if Chelsea play like that against Manchester City
“A disaster of course.”
On why the team lack confidence
“It is clear; we are in a difficult moment and had problems with the fans in the last match at home, so it’s normal for a team to enter the pitch without confidence.
“But I am really very happy with the application in the first half of the match, because it is impossible to play with quality without confidence.
“The level of application was good. It was really very good in the defensive phase.
“But of course for playing our football we need confidence if we want control of the match, if we want possession and want to move the ball very fast with one touch or two touches.”
On fans booing Jorginho when he came on
“I think in the first 30 minutes we understood why Jorginho is very important for our team.
“We were in trouble to exit from our half on pressing and with Jorginho it is easier.
“I hope that our fans will be able to understand that Jorginho for us is really a very important player.”
On Callum Hudson-Odoi’s performance
“I think he played very well. But I think also that Christensen played very well and Emerson.
“So I am really very happy with these three players. I think at the moment they are ready to play with consistency.”
On what Hudson-Odoi can do to play more often
“You need to understand that in the same position we have Willian, we have Pedro and we have Hazard. So it is not easy for a young player to play with consistency.
“I want you to remember that Callum has played 14 matches. There isn’t in England another player of 18 with 14 matches in the first team.
“So I think we are using him in the right way at the moment. Of course 20 matches this season will become 30 and then 40 in the next two years.
“I think also that the club has to decide, because if I am at the club and I want Callum on the pitch with consistency I have to sell another winger. Otherwise the manager is in trouble.”
On Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s return
“We had a lot of problems with Loftus in the last two months. He started to have training with his team-mates only two days ago after a long period of a big problem with his back.
“I think he can improve a lot. Also Callum (can improve too) because Callum is only 18.”
On Ethan Ampadu
“We need to find the right position on the pitch for Ampadu. We are trying him as a midfielder, as a centre-back and as a full-back.
“But we need to have a clear idea because from now until the end of the season we have to decide I think. Otherwise for him it is difficult to improve.”
